Effects of Pregnancy-associated Hormones on THC Metabolism in Women

Cannabis use is prevalent among pregnant women, but the effects of use on both the developing fetus and pregnant woman are unknown. Importantly, drug exposure could be influenced by the impact of pregnancy-associated hormones on the metabolism of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive component of cannabis. The goal of this study is to determine whether cortisol and estradiol - hormones that rise dramatically during pregnancy - increase the clearance of dronabinol (THC) in reproductive age women to simulate the pregnant state. The collected data will then be used to predict the time course and magnitude of changes in THC metabolism in pregnant women, particularly with gradually increasing estradiol and cortisol concentrations that evolve over the course of pregnancy. The overall objective of this study is to better understand the effects of THC use during pregnancy on the health of the pregnant woman and developing fetus.